Thursday 18 July 2002 09.21 EDT
First published on Thursday 18 July 2002 09.21 EDT

Contrasting fortunes in the transfer market suggest that Everton and Liverpool are divided by more than Stanley Park. England midfielder Owen Hargreaves is the latest high-profile name to be linked with Anfield. The 21-year-old is under contract to Bayern Munich until 2004, but German magazine Kicker says he is stalling on a two-year extension. Gerard Houllier sees Hargreaves as the ideal long-term replacement for holding midfielder Dietmar Hamann, a target for Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, indulging in the sort of corporate love-in that even Arthur Andersen might baulk at, Everton are fresh from fuming at their sponsors, Chinese electronics company Kejian, who foisted Li Weifeng on David Moyes rather than his preferred target, Li Tie. The Express reports that Moyes has hit upon an amicable solution, it seems, and decided to tie up Tie as well.

The same paper adds that Moyes has joined the chase for Leeds' Michael Duberry, the want-away centre-back. Everton, Bolton and Blackburn are all in the hunt for 26-year-old Michael Duberry, who has failed to hold down a first-team place at Elland Road.

Blackburn's Graeme Souness has targeted £9 million-rated Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, after Manchester United refused to reduce their £6 million valuation of Dwight Yorke, despite denying the Trinidadian a shirt number. The Daily Mail says Rovers are keen to sign the Icelandic striker with Matt Jansen out until September after a car crash.

According to the Daily Record, Celtic, Southampton and Aston Villa are all keen to sign South Korean World Cup midfielder Lee Chun-Soo. Southampton boss Gordon Strachan has invited the 21-year-old for a trial, while Celtic's Martin O'Neill and Graham Taylor of Villa are monitoring the situation.

Taylor is also competing for the signature of South African midfielder MacBeth "Khetho" Sibaya, reports website planetfootball.com. Italian side Brescia have made the 24-year-old's club Jomo Cosmos a firm offer after he impressed at the World Cup, while Premiership newcomers West Bromwich Albion have registered their interest. Cosmos' managing director Jomo Sono said: "We are not going to rush, as we want to secure the best possible deal for Khetho."

Birmingham are ready to spend £3.3 million on Panathinaikos and Poland striker Emmanuel Olisadebe, says the Daily Mail. Blues' manager Steve Bruce has failed to agree a fee with Crystal Palace for Ireland's Clinton Morrison and rejected the chance to sign Brazil legend Romario.

Leicester may throw baby-sized Dennis Wise out with the bathwater in a mass clear-out at Filbert Street. Following the recent sales of Robbie Savage, Gary Rowett and Ade Akinbiyi, manager Micky Adams is still under pressure to cut the wage bill and reduce club debts of £8 million. The Express reckons Wise, Muzzy Izzet, Ian Walker and Matt Elliott are other big-earners who may go.

Bradford City have offered Benito Carbone £800,000 to leave the club, according to the Daily Mail. Bantams, currently in administration, hope Carbone will join the 19 players who have already left this summer and join Serie A newcomers Como. The Italian is owed £3 million on the remainder of his contract.

Unwanted by Trevor Francis at Crystal Palace, USA defender Gregg Berhalter's move to Greek side Iraklis has now collapsed, reports the Express.

The Daily Record reports that Livingston will offer Cameroon-born defender Gustave Bahoken a contract after he impressed in the 6-2 friendly win against Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.